Dhangadhi, October 27
The Far-West Provincial Assembly has not been able to convene since protesters set fire to the provincial assembly building and other structures during the Gen Z movement on September 9.
Protesters had torched the assembly building, administrative offices, committee rooms, parliamentary party offices, and vehicles, causing extensive damage. The assembly meeting was suspended indefinitely, and no date has been fixed for its resumption.
Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah had instructed the secretariat to prepare for a meeting soon after Tihar, but according to the secretariat, reconstruction and repair of the fire-damaged structures will take time, making an immediate meeting impossible.
According to Assembly Secretariat Secretary Dev Bahadur Bogati, furniture and technical equipment inside the building were completely destroyed, making it unusable. Quotation-based tenders have been called for initial repairs, including window and door installations.
“It will take at least two months to complete the reconstruction and repair of all damaged structures,” said Secretary Bogati. “We’ve started preliminary works, but it’s still uncertain when the meeting can resume.”
Request for Donor Assistance
As procurement under the Public Procurement Act takes time, the secretariat has sought assistance from donor agencies. Bogati said around Rs 4.3 million is needed to purchase cameras, computers, microphones, and other equipment essential for running the assembly, but there is no such budget allocation this fiscal year.
“Therefore, we’ve requested support from UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, and other donor organizations,” he said. “They have responded positively to our proposal.”
Search for an alternative venue
Since the current assembly building cannot be used immediately, the secretariat has started looking for an alternative venue. According to Bogati, if necessary, a temporary tent could be set up within the assembly premises to hold meetings.
The secretariat is also considering requesting Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City to repair and rent out its City Hall for the assembly sessions.
“Another option is to rent a private building for the meetings,” Bogati added. “A decision will be made after discussions on the most suitable alternative.”
The Gen Z movement on September 9 had turned violent, with the assembly building and several facilities set ablaze. According to the Provincial Assembly Secretariat, various sections of the building, furniture, and equipment were destroyed, along with seven four-wheelers and eight two-wheelers.
